The Buckeyes had four more players named to watch lists on Wednesday.
With just one day to go until fall camp officially begins, Caleb Downs and Davison Igbinosun were named to the Thorpe Award watch list while Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese were both named to the Butkus Award watch list.
Downs’ name has been on just about every watch list it could be found on this preseason so far, and it’s no surprise to see either him or Igbinosun on this one. The Jim Thorpe Award is awarded to the top defensive back in the country each year, with Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron taking it home in 2024.
The last Ohio State player to win it was Malcolm Jenkins in 2008. He was the second Buckeye ever to receive the honor after Antoine Winfield did so in 1998.
Downs had 82 tackles last season (eight for loss), six pass breakups and two interceptions. Igbinosun finished with 45 tackles (two for loss), nine pass breakups, two interceptions and a forced fumble. He struggled some with pass interference penalties but still had a very strong season overall.
The Butkus Award goes to the best linebacker in college football each year. Last season, it was Georgia backer Jalon Walker who won it. It was current Buckeye linebackers coach James Laurinaitis who last won it at Ohio State, doing so in 2007. The first to do it was Andy Katzenmoyer in 1997.
Styles enters his senior season for just his second year at linebacker, but picked up the position quickly, recording 100 tackles (11 for loss), six sacks, five pass breakups and a forced fumble. Reese will likely start at the Mike position for the first time, but was a consistent contributor last season, finishing with 43 tackles (3.5 for loss), 0.5 sacks and two quarterback hurries.
